Operating mechanism for a coke wharf gate

ABSTRACT

An operating mechanism for moving a gate on a coke wharf from a closed material-restraining position on the wharf to an open material release position is disclosed. The operating mechanism has a fluid supply means and a sequence valve connected to the fluid supply means and to a cylinder which operates the wharf gate. The valve has a stationary member and a movable member rotatable with respect to the stationary member. The movable member has a first annular venting vein for causing the venting of the cylinder on the side of its piston adjacent the first or closed operating position. A first annular pressurized vein is provided adjacent the first venting vein and has a first or closed operating position program port extending into the first venting vein, and is employed to cause the pressurization of the cylinder on the side of the piston adjacent the first or closed operating position and for causing movement of the piston from the first or closed operating position to the second or open operating position. In addition, the movable member has a second annular pressurized vein for causing the pressurization of the cylinder on the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position and for causing the movement of the piston from the second or open operating position to the first or closed operating position. Further, the movable member has a second annular venting vein adjacent the second pressurized vein which second venting vein has a second or open operating position program port extending into the second pressurized vein and is used for causing the venting of the cylinder on the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position. The stationary member is provided with a first supply conduit connected to the fluid supply means and registerable with the first pressurized vein to pressurize the first pressurized vein. A second supply conduit of the stationary member is connected to the fluid supply means and is registerable with the second pressurized vein to pressurize such second pressurized vein. Further, the stationary member has a first venting conduit connected to atmosphere and registerable with the first venting vein to permit venting of the first venting vein. A second venting conduit is connected to atmosphere and registerable with the second venting vein to permit venting of such second venting vein. A second or open operating position conduit on the stationary member is connected to the cylinder adjacent the first or closed operating position and is registerable first with the first venting vein to vent the side of the piston adjacent the first or closed operating position to atmosphere and registerable then with the first or closed operating position program port to pressurize the side of the piston adjacent the first or closed operating position and to move the piston from the first or closed operating position to the second or open operating position. Finally, a first or closed operating position conduit is connected to the cylinder adjacent the second or open operating position and is registerable first with the second pressurized vein (while said second or open operating position conduit is registered with the first venting vein) to pressurize the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position and to move the piston from the second or open operating position to the first or closed operating position; and is registerable then (while said second or open operating position conduit is registered with said first or closed operating posiTion program port) with the second or open operating position program port to vent the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position and to permit the first pressurized vein to move the piston from the first or closed operating position to the second or open operating position.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Pete Palumbo Bethel Park Borough, Pa. [21 1 Appl. No. 12,367 [22] Filed Feb. 18, 1970 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [73] Assignee United States Steel Corporation [54] OPERATING MECHANISM FOR A COKE WHARF GATE 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 214/17 R, l37/625.23 [51] Int. Cl. 865g 65/56 [50] FieldotSearch 214/17 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,022,738 2/1962 Krute l37/625.23 X 3,231,104 1/1966 Lawrence 2l4/l7R Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Attorney-Robert J. Leek, Jr.

ABSTRACT: An operating mechanism for moving a gate on a coke wharf from a closed material-restraining position on the wharf to an open material release position is disclosed. The operating mechanism has a fluid supply means and a sequence valve connected to the fluid supply means and to a cylinder which operates the wharf gate. The valve has a stationary member and a movable member rotatable with respect to the stationary member. The movable member has a first annular venting vein for causing the venting of the cylinder on the side of its piston adjacent the first or closed operating position. A first annular pressurized vein is provided adjacent the first venting vein and has a first or closed operating position program port extending into the first venting vein, and is employed to cause the pressurization of the cylinder on the side of the piston adjacent the first or closed operating position and for causing movement of the piston from the first or closed operating position to the second or open operating position. In addition. the movable member has a second annular pressurized vein for causing the pressurization of the cylinder on the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position and for causing the movement of the piston from the second or open operating position to the first or closed operating position. Further, the movable member has a second annular venting vein adjacent the second pressurized vein which second venting vein has a second or open operating position program port extending into the second pressurized vein and is used for causing the venting of the cylinder on the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position. The stationary member is provided with a first supply conduit connected to the fluid supply means and registerable with the first pressurized vein to pressurize the first pressurized vein. A second supply conduit of the stationary member is connected to the fluid supply means and is registerable with the second pressurized vein to pressurize such second pressurized vein. Further, the stationary member has a first venting conduit connected to atmosphere and registerable with the first venting vein to permit venting of the first venting vein. A second venting conduit is connected to atmosphere and registerable with the second venting vein to permit venting of such second venting vein.

A second or open operating position conduit on the stationary member is connected to the cylinder adjacent the first or closed operating position and is registerable first with the first venting vein to vent the side of the piston adjacent the first or closed operating position to atmosphere and registerable then with the first or closed operating position program port to pressurize the side of the piston adjacent the first or closed operating position and to move the piston from the first or closed operating position to the second or open operating position. Finally, a first or closed operating position conduit is connected to the cylinder adjacent the second or open operating position and is registerable first with the second pressurized vein (while said second or open operating position conduit is registered with the first venting vein) to pressurize the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position and to move the piston from the second or open operating position to the first or closed operating position; and is registerable then (while said second or open operating position conduit is registered with said first or closed operating position program port) with the second or open operating position program port to vent the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position and to permit the first pressurized vein to move the piston from the first or closed operating position to the second or open operating position.

PATENTED OCT 5 l9?! SHEET 1 BF 3 'INVE N 70/? PETE PALUMBO I; is 4 Horny PATENTEU 0m 5 I87! SHEET 3 [IF 3 is Attorney 1 OPERATING MECHANISM FOR A COKE WHARF GATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I am aware of the conventional control valves shown in U.S. Pats. No. 3,370,612 to Roll issued Feb. 27, 1968, and No. 3,371,682 to Flint issued Mar. 5, i968.

Heretofore, coke wharves disposed adjacent the coke ovens for receiving the coke therefrom utilized fluid-operated cylinders on each wharf gate, which cylinders were connected to a solenoid-operated four-way valve. The conventional four-way valve has one position which feeds air pressure to one end of the cylinder while venting the other end of the cylinder to open an individual wharf gate and a second position which reverses this action to close the wharf gate. Each individual wharf gate is open for approximately seconds to complete about a 45 feet dump from the wharf into an adjacent conveyor in about 4 minutes. This conventional system including a programmer, interlocks, and the like, has a cost approximately in the neighborhood of about$80,000.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of this invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to prior art practices by the provision of an improved operating mechanism for the wharf gate of a coke battery which operating mechanism is:

a. simple and rugged in structure;

b. has an installation and operational cost of about one-third of a conventional gate operating mechanism;

c. requires little or no maintenance during its long operational life; and

d. is readily adapted to provide any desired operating sequence of the wharf gates in a particular coke wharf installation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid objects of this invention, and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing an improved operating mechanism for a wharf gate, which operating mechanism has a fluid supply means and a sequence valve connected to the fluid supply means and to a cylinder which operates the wharf gate. The valve has a stationary member and a movable member rotatable with respect to the stationary member. The movable member has a first annular venting vein for causing the venting of the cylinder on the side of its piston adjacent the first or closed operating position. A first annular pressurized vein is provided adjacent the first venting vein and has a first or closed operating position program port extending into the first venting vein, and is employed to cause the pressurization of the cylinder on the side of the piston adjacent the first or closed operating position and for causing movement of the piston from the first or closed operating position to the second or open operating position. In addition, the movable member has a second annular pressurized vein for causing the pressurization of the cylinder on the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position and for causing the movement of the piston from the second or open operating position to the first or closed operating position. Further, the movable member has a second annular venting vein adjacent the second pressurized vein which second venting vein has a second or open operating position program port extending into the second pressurized vein and is used for causing the venting of the cylinder on the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position. The stationary member is provided with a first supply conduit connected to the fluid supply means and registerable with the first pressurized vein to pressurize the first pressurized vein. A second supply conduit of the stationary member is connected to the fluid supply means and is registerable with the second pressurized vein to pressurize such second pressurized vein. Further, the stationary member has a first venting conduit connected to atmosphere and registerable with the first venting vein to pennit venting of the first venting vein. A second venting conduit is connected to atmosphere and registerable with the second venting vein to permit venting of such second venting vein.

A second or open operating position conduit on the stationary member is connected to the cylinder adjacent the first or closed operating position and is registerable first with the first venting vein to vent the side of the piston adjacent the first or closed operating position to atmosphere and registerable then with the first or closed operating position program port to pressurize the side of the piston adjacent the first or closed operating position and to move the piston from the first or closed operating position to the second or open operating position. Finally, a first or closed operating position conduit is connected to the cylinder adjacent the second or open operating position and is registerable first with the second pressurized vein (while said'second or open operating position conduit is registered with the first venting vein) to pressurize the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position and to move the piston from the second or open operating position to the first or closed operating position; and is registerable then (while said second or open operating position conduit is registered with said first or closed operating position program port) with the second or open operating position program port to vent the side of the piston adjacent the second or open operating position and to permit the first pressurized vein to move the piston from the first or closed operating position to the second or open operating position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the operating mechanism of the present invention for moving the piston of the fluid-operated cylinder between a first or closed operating position and a second or open operating position, and showing a speed-reducing unit connected to the movable member of the sequence valve;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the sequence valve, the fluid supply means and showing the conduit connections to the operating cylinders for operating a gate on a coke wharf between a closed material-restraining position on the wharf and an open material release position where the material or coke is disposed by gravity onto an adjacent conveyor;

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary view of the fluid supply means and showing such fluid supply means in the emergency position in a case where, for example, the conveyor has stopped;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sequence valve taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows and showing the valve body as a stationary member and the valve core as the movable member;

FIG. 4A is a side elevational view of one operating cylinder, its associated gate shown in the closed or material-arresting position on the coke Wharf and the coke conveyor disposed therebeneath; I

FIG. 4B is a view similar to 4A showing the cylinder and the gate in the open position and the resultant depositing of the coke onto the conveyor;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to the left-hand portions of FIG. 1 of an alternative embodiment of the operating mechanism showing an indexing mechanism connected to the movable member of the sequenced valve;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of an alternative embodiment of the sequence valve wherein the movable member is the valve body and the stationary member is the valve core;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of FIG. 2 of an alternative embodiment of the sequence valve and showing the second venting vein adjacent the first pressurized vein.

Although the principles of this invention are broadly applicable to fluid-operated cylinders, this information is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a gate on a coke wharf and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With specific reference to the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings and referring particularly to FIGS. [-3, an operating mechanism of this invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral or 100 (FIG. 1).

The operating mechanism 10 moves a piston 12 (FIG. 1) of a fluid-operated cylinder 14 (FIG. 1) between a first or closed upper operating position shown in FIG. 1 and a second or open lower operating position shown in FIG. 1. This operating mechanism 10 has a fluid supply means indicated by the legend from fluid supply in FIG. 2 and FIG. the legend air" in FIGS. 1, 2A, and a sequence valve 18, FIGS. I-3, connected to the fluid supply means and to the cylinder 12 as hereinafter explained in detail.

SEQUENCE VALVE 18 The sequence valve 18 has a stationary member, such as the valve body 20 (FIGS. l-3), and a movable member, such as the valve core 22 (FIGS. 2,3), rotatable with respect to the stationary valve body 20. The valve core 22 has a first annular venting vein 24 (FIGS. 2, 3) for causing the venting of the cylinder 14 on the side of the piston 12 adjacent the first or closed upper operating position of such piston 12. The valve core 22 also has a first annular pressurized vein 26 (FIG. 2) adjacent the first venting vein 24. This first pressurized vein 26 has a first or closed operating position program port 28 (FIGS. 2,3) extending into the first venting vein 24. Such first pressurized vein 26 causes the pressurization of the cylinder 14 on the side of the piston 12 adjacent the first or closed upper operating position of the piston 12 and causes movement of the piston 12 from the first or closed upper operating position to the second or open lower operating position (FIG. 1). In addition, the valve core 22 has a second annular pressurized vein 30 (FIG. 2) for causing the pressurization of the cylinder 14 on the side of the piston 12 adjacent the second or open lower operating position of such piston 12 and for causing the movement of the piston 12 from the second or open lower position to the first or closed upper operating position. Finally, the valve core 22 has a second annular venting vein 32 (FIGS. 2,3) adjacent the second pressurized vein 30. Such second venting vein 32 has a second or open operating position program port 34 (FIG. 2) extending into the second pressurized vein 30 for causing the venting of the cylinder 14 on the side of the piston 12 adjacent the second or open lower operating position of the piston 12.

The valve body 20 is provided with a first supply conduit 36 (FIGS. 2,3) connected to a first branch conduit 38 (FIGS. 1,3) which first branch conduit 38 extends to a main fluid supply conduit 40 (FIGS. 1, 2, 2A) from the ,fluid supply means. The first supply conduit 36 is registerablewith the first pressurized vein 26 to pressurize such first pressurized vein 26. In addition, the valve body 20 is provided with a second supply conduit 42 (FIG. 2) connected by a second branch conduit 44 (FIGS. I, 2, 2A) to the main fluid supply conduit 40. Such second supply conduit 42 is registerable with the second pressurized vein 30 to pressurize such second pressurized vein 30. The valve body 20 also is provided with a first venting conduit 46 (FIGS. 2,3) connected by a first venting line 48 (FIGS. 1,2,3) to the atmosphere. Such first venting conduit 46 is registerable with the first venting vein 24 to permit venting of such first venting vein 24. The valve body 20 is further provided with a second venting conduit 50 (FIGS. 2,3) connected by a second venting line 52 (FIGS. I, 2, 2A) to atmosphere und registerable with the second venting vein 32 to permit the venting of the second venting vein 32. A plurality of for example l2 second or open operating position conduits 54 (FIGS. 1,2,3) are connected to the cylinder 14 adjacent the first or closed upper operating position by lines 56. As shown in FIG. 3, there are 12 such conduits 54 and lines 56, one each for each cylinder 14. Such second or open operating position conduit 54 is registerable first with the first venting vein 24 to vent the side of the piston 12 adjacent the first or closed upper operating position to atmosphere and is then registerable with the first or closed operating position program port 28 to pressurize the side of the piston 12' adjacent the first or closed operating position and to move the piston 12 from the first or closed upper operating position (FIG. 1) to the second or open lower operating position (FIG. 1). Such valve body 20 is also provided with a first or closed operating position conduit 58 (FIG. 2) connected to the cylinder 14 by a line 60 (FIGS. 1,2) adjacent the second or open lower operating position of the piston 12. Such first or closed operating position conduit 58 is registerable first with the second pressurized vein 30 (while the second or open operating position conduit 54 is registered with the first venting vein 24) to pressurize the side of the piston 12 adjacent the second or open lower operating position and to move the piston 12 from the second or open lower operating position to the first or closed upper operating position. Such first or closed operating position conduit 58 is then registerable (while the second or open operating position conduit 54 is registered with the first or closed operating position program port 28) with the second or open operating position program port 34 to vent the side of the piston 12 adjacent the second or open lower operating position (FIG. 1) and to pennit the first pressurized vein 26 to move the piston 12 from the first or closed upper operating position (FIG. I) to the second or open operating position.

As shown in FIG. I, the sequence valve 18 is provided with a drive means.

. DRIVE MEANS The drive means for moving or rotating the valve core 22 comprises a speed reducer 62 (FIG. 1 connected to a shaft 64 (FIGS. 1,2,3) of the rotatable valve core 22 and rotated in the direction of the arrow (FIG. I) by a motor 66 (FIG. 1). Lines 68 and 70 (FIG. 1) connect the motor 66 to a suitable source of AC voltage (FIG. 1) indicated by the legend AC voltage supply."

Control means, such as a rotating limit switch 72 of the type HLA-2 manufactured by Clark Control, Division A. O. Smith, Cleveland, Ohio, is driven by the motor 66 and is connected electrically by lines 68, 70' (FIG. 1) to an associated limit switch 72a associated with the next adjacent operating mechanism 10a.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS It will be understood by those skilled in the art that alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the drive means for the rotatable valve core 22 may consist of an indexing mechanism 74 of the type shown and disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,569,852 issued Oct. 2, 1951, to J. Green.

As shown in FIGS. 1,5 the lines 60,56 may be provided with valves 75.

Referring to the embodiment of the sequence valve 18 shown in FIG. 6, such sequence valve 18 utilizes the valve body 20 as the rotatable member. Such rotatable valve body 20 contains the first venting vein 24, the first pressurized vein 26", the second pressurized vein 30 and the second venting vein 32. The stationary member, of course, is the valve core 22 provided with the first supply conduit 36, the second supply conduit 42, the first venting conduit 46, the second venting conduit 50, the first or closed operating position con duits 58 and the second or open operating position conduits 54. The valve body 20 (FIG. 6) is rotated by a peripheral girth gear (not shown) on the valve body 20 being engaged by a pinion gear (not shown) on the shaft 64 of either FIGS. 1 or Referring to FIG. 2, the operating mechanism has a first valve means, such as the three-way valve 76, disposed in the first branch conduit 38 for normally connecting such first branch conduit 38 to the main fluid supply conduit 40 and for alternatively connecting the first branch conduit 38 to the atmosphere, as shown in FIG. 2A, in the case of an emergency. In FIGS. 2, 2A the solid valve arrowhead indicates the open position.

The operating mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 1 also may utilize a second valve means, such as the three-way valve 78, disposed in the second venting line 52 for normally connecting the second venting line 52 to atmosphere and in the case of an emergency for connecting the second venting line 52 to the main fluid supply conduit 40 as shown in FIG. 2A.

In FIG. 7, the second venting vein 32 is disposed adjacent the first pressurized vein 26. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the first venting vein 24 and first pressurized vein 26 (FIG. 2) may be reversed so that the first pressurized vein 26 is on top of the first venting vein 24 and such first venting vein 24 is adjacent the second pressurized vein 30.

OPERATION Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4b and particularly to FIG. 4a, the piston 12 is connected at 80 to a lever 82 pivoted at 84 on a frame 86 of a coke wharf 88. The free end of the lever 88 is connected to a gate 90 movable by the above described operating mechanism 10 from a closed or material-restraining position shown in FIG. 4a to an open or coke feeding position shown in FIG. 4b. The coke 92 shown in FIG. 4a is restrained by the gate 90 and moves from the position shown in FIG. 4a off the wharf 88 onto a conveyor 94, as shown in FIG. 4b, which conveyor 94 conveys such coke 92 to a storage or shipping location (not shown).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the first pressurized vein 26 is provided with a first blank portion 96 which is registerable with the first supply conduit 36 to shut off the supply of the fluid, such as compressed air, to the first pressurized vein 26. The second venting vein 32 is provided with a second blank portion 98 (FIG. 2) which is operable (when the first blank portion 96 registers with first supply conduit 36) to register with the second venting conduit 50 to shut off the second venting vein 32 from the atmosphere.

SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing an improved operating mechanism 10 for moving a piston 12 of a fluid operated cylinder 14 from a first or closed upper operating position to a second or open lower operating position which operating mechanism 10:

a. is simple and rugged in structure;

b. has an installation and operational cost which is about one-third that of a conventional gate operating mechanism;

c. requires little or no maintenance during its long operational life; and

d. is readily adapted to provide any desired operating sequence of the wharf gates 90 (FIGS. 4a, 4b) in a particular coke wharf installation.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, preferred and alternative embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

lclaim:

I. An operating mechanism for moving a piston of a fluidoperated cylinder between a first closed operating position and a second open operating position, said operating mechanism having:

a. a fluid supply means;

b. a sequence valve connected to said fluid supply means and to said cylinder;

c. said sequence valve having a stationary member and a movable member rotatable with respect to said stationary member;

1. said movable member having:

a. a first annular venting vein for causing the venting of said cylinder on the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position,

b. a first annular pressurized vein adjacent said first venting vein having a first closed operating position program port extending into said first venting vein, and for causing the pressurization of said cylinder on the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position and for causing movement of said piston from said first closed operating position to said second open operating position,

c. a second annular pressurized vein for causing the pressurization of said cylinder on the side of said piston adjacent said second open operating position and for causing the movement of said piston from said second open operating position to said first closed operating position, and

d. a second annular venting vein adjacent said second pressurized vein having a second open operating position program port extending into said second pressurized vein for causing the venting of said cylinder on the side of said piston adjacent said second open operating position,

2. said stationary member being provided with:

a. a first supply conduit connected to said fluid supply means and registerable with said first pressurized vein to pressurize said first pressurized vein,

b. a second supply conduit connected to said fluid supply means and registerable with said second pressurized vein to pressurize said second pressurized vein,

c. a first venting conduit connected to atmosphere and registerable with said first venting vein to permit venting of said first venting vein,

d. a second venting conduit connected to atmosphere and registerable with said second venting vein to permit venting of said second venting vein,

e. a second open operating position conduit connected to said cylinder adjacent said first closed operating position and registerable first with said first venting vein to vent the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position to atmosphere and registerable then with said first closed operating position program port to pressurize the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position and to move said piston from said first closed operating position to said second open operating position, and

f. a first closed operating position conduit connected to said cylinder adjacent said second open operating position and registerable first with said second pressurized vein, while said second open operating position conduit is registered with said first venting vein, to pressurize the side of said piston adjacent said second open operating position and to move said piston from said second open operating position to said first closed operating position, and registerable then, while said second open operating position conduit is registered with said first closed operating position program port, with said second open operating position program port to vent the side of the piston adjacent said second open operating position and to permit said first pressurized vein to move said piston from said first closed operating position to said second open operating position.

2. The operating mechanism recited in claim I and having drive means connected to said movable member.

3. The operating mechanism recited in claim I wherein said movable member is one member of a valve body and a valve core and the stationary member is the other member of said valve body and said valve core.

4. The operating mechanism recited in claim 2 wherein said drive means is one means of a continuous drive means and an indexing drive means.

5. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 and having a first valve means in said first supply conduit for normally connecting said first supply conduit to said fluid supply means and for connecting said first supply conduit to said atmosphere in an emergency.

6. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 and having a second valve means in said second venting conduit for normally connecting said second venting conduit to said atmosphere and for connecting said second venting conduit to said fluid supply means in an emergency.

7. The operaung mechanism recited in claim 1 in combination with:

a. a wharf adapted to receive pulverulent material,

b. a gate connected to said piston and movable by said piston from a closed material restraining position on said wharf to an open material release position,

8. The combination recited in claim 7 and having a conveyor disposed adjacent said wharf for receiving said material.

9. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 wherein said first pressurized vein has a first blank portion, said first blank portion being operable to register with first supply conduit to shut off said fluid.

10. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 wherein said second venting vein has a second blank portion, said second blank portion being operable to register with said second venting conduit to shut off said venting to atmosphere. 

1. An operating mechanism for moving a piston of a fluidoperated cylinder between a first closed operating position and a second open operating position, said operating mechanism having: a. a fluid supply means; b. a sequence valve connected to said fluid supply means and to said cylinder; c. said sequence valve having a stationary member and a movable member rotatable with respect to said stationary member;
 1. said movable member having: a. a first annular venting vein for causing the venting of said cylinder on the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position, b. a first annular pressurized vein adjacent said first venting vein having a first closed operating position program port extending into said first venting vein, and for causing the pressurization of said cylinder on the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position and for causing movement of said piston from said first closed operating position to said second open operating position, c. a second annular pressurized vein for causing the pressurization of said cylinder on the side of said piston adjacent said second open operating position and for causing the movement of said piston from said second open operating position to said first closed operating position, and d. a second annular venting vein adjacent said second pressurized vein having a second open operating position program port extending into said second pressurized vein for causing the venting of said cylinder on the side of said piston adjacent said second open operating position,
 2. said stationary member being provided with: a. a first supply conduit connected to said fluid supply means and registerable with said first pressurized vein to pressurize said first pressurized vein, b. a second supply conduit connected to said fluid supply means and registerable with said second pressurized vein to pressurize said second pressurized vein, c. a first venting conduit connected to atmosphere and registerable with said first venting vein to permit venting of said first venting vein, d. a second venting conduit connected to atmosphere and registerable with said second venting vein to permit venting of said second venting vein, e. a second open operating position conduit connected to said cylinder adjacent said first closed operating position and registerable first with said first venting vein to vent the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position to atmosphere and registerable then with said first closed operating position program port to pressurize the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position and to move said piston from said first closed operating position to said second open operating position, and f. a first closed operating position conduit connected to said cylinder adjacent said second open operating position and registerable first with said second pressurized vein, while said second open operating position conduit is registered with said first venting vein, to pressurize the side of said piston adjacent said second open operating position and to move said piston from said second open operating position to said first closed operating position, and registerable then, while said second open operating position conduit is registered with said first closed operating position program port, with said second open operating position program port to vent the side of the piston adjacent said second open operating position and to permit said first pressurized vein to move said piston from said first closed operating position to said second open operating position.
 2. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 and having drive means connected to said movable member.
 2. said stationary member being provided with: a. a first supply conduit connected to said fluid supply means and registerable with said first pressurized vein to pressurize said first pressurized vein, b. a second supply conduit connected to said fluid supply means and registerable with said second pressurized vein to pressurize said second pressurized vein, c. a first venting conduit connected to atmosphere and registerable with said first venting vein to permit venting of said first venting vein, d. a second venting conduit connected to atmosphere and registerable with said second venting vein to permit venting of said second venting vein, e. a second open operating position conduit connected to said cylinder adjacent said first closed operating position and registerable first with said first venting vein to vent the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position to atmosphere and registerable then with said first closed operating position program port to pressurize the side of said piston adjacent said first closed operating position and to move said piston from said first closed operating position to said second open operating position, and f. a first closed operating position conduit connected to said cylinder adjacent said second open operating position and registerable first with said second pressurized vein, while said second open operating position conduit is registered with said first venting vein, to pressurize the side of said piston adjacent said second open operating position and to move said piston from said second open operating position to said first closed operating position, and registerable then, while said second open operating position conduit is registered with said first closed operating position program port, with said second open operating position program port to vent the side of the piston adjacent said second open operating position and to permit said first pressurized vein to move said piston from said first closed operating position to said second open operating position.
 3. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 wherein said movable member is one member of a valve body and a valve core and the stationary member is the other member of said valve body and said valve core.
 4. The operating mechanism recited in claim 2 whereIn said drive means is one means of a continuous drive means and an indexing drive means.
 5. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 and having a first valve means in said first supply conduit for normally connecting said first supply conduit to said fluid supply means and for connecting said first supply conduit to said atmosphere in an emergency.
 6. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 and having a second valve means in said second venting conduit for normally connecting said second venting conduit to said atmosphere and for connecting said second venting conduit to said fluid supply means in an emergency.
 7. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 in combination with: a. a wharf adapted to receive pulverulent material, b. a gate connected to said piston and movable by said piston from a closed material restraining position on said wharf to an open material release position.
 8. The combination recited in claim 7 and having a conveyor disposed adjacent said wharf for receiving said material.
 9. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 wherein said first pressurized vein has a first blank portion, said first blank portion being operable to register with first supply conduit to shut off said fluid.
 10. The operating mechanism recited in claim 1 wherein said second venting vein has a second blank portion, said second blank portion being operable to register with said second venting conduit to shut off said venting to atmosphere. 